From the Runway to the Racetrack

From the Runway to the Racetrack

From the runway to the racetrack, model Sean O’Pry (American) & his partner Fernanda Liz (Brazilian native and model) took on the Corso Pilota in Utah and experienced the powerful 296 GTB. They had the opportunity of a lifetime, which was to partake in a multi-part intensive driving education (reserved exclusively for Ferrari owners). The courses themselves provide hot laps, timed races, racing lines and most importantly comfortability and confidence behind the wheel that transcends the circuit experience, and ultimately is integrated into day to day driving.

Did we mention that the fleet of cars is provided by Ferrari North America? Participants can leave their Cavallinos in their stable, allowing them to truly immerse themselves - and leave it all out on the track.

For Sean and Fernanda, the Corso Pilota represented the opportunity to build on childhood dreams, in which fast cars would often feature, and the pair wasted no time in throwing themselves into the thrills offered by the Ferrari school.

“It was such a treat for me,” says Sean. “Not only did I realize I was a bad driver previously, but I realized my partner is a much better driver than I am!”

Fernanda smiles at this, but noticeably doesn’t disagree with him.

Over two days, the pair took an intensive course in race car driving, learning techniques from experts and putting their new knowledge to the test on a circuit.

“Getting seat time with the pro driver initially is so valuable,” he adds. “It feels kind of like you’re in a video game at first. But then you start to get the knowledge from them; why they’re trying to hit the apex or go in slow to a corner and fast out."

“And then when you get behind the wheel and put everything you learn from the first day to the end of the program together, you see the improvement – it’s really dramatic.”

Fernanda is equally enthused about her experience learning the secrets behind racing driving. Across two days, the Corso Pilota allowed the duo to follow each other around the track in F8 Tributos and a pair of stunning red Ferrari 296GTBs at pace, showing off the skills they’d picked up.

“It changes the way you view driving,” adds Sean. “The Corso Pilota teaches you about safety, not just about the fastest way to race. When you complete that course, and everyone is together at the end, that’s one of the most gratifying things I’ve ever experienced.”

The pair have two more levels of the Corso Pilota still to achieve, which they hope to do as soon as they have time in their schedules. They are certainly fans of the education they received, with Fernanda stating that: “I would recommend it to anyone. It’s a truly memorable day that will help you as a driver no matter who you are.”